Singer-songwriter Alex*Cuba hails from Artemisa, Cuba (60KM from Havana) and resides in Smithers, B.C. (14 hours north of Vancouver). Musically, he lives everywhere in between. His trademark sugarcane-sweet melodies, pop-soul hooks and rock chords subtly subvert commonly held notions of what Cuban music is. Alex is on the vanguard, crafting a cross-cultural sound that mirrors his geographical journey. Not tied to tradition, this Cuban-Canadian prefers his vintage Gibson over el sencerro (cowbell) anytime.
From his earliest years in Artemisa, he was immersed in music. Alex's first stage appearance on national TV was at the tender age of four, playing claves (a percussion instrument) in a group directed by his music instructor father. Alex went on to study guitar, tres, percussion and bass, practicing eight hours a day during his teens.
Alex*Cuba won a National Song Writing Competition in Cuba when he was only 18, but only recognized his singer/songwriter path upon moving to Canada, after years playing bass in traditional Cuban groups as well as jazz and pop alongside Roberto Fonseca and Javier Zalba (now with the Buena Vista Social Club), recording three albums and touring Europe.
In Canada, he teamed up with his twin brother Adonis to record Morumba Cubana, as The Puentes Brothers, including seven original compositions of Alex and two co-written with Adonis. In 2001, the album received a nomination for a Juno award - as well as winning a West Coast Music Award and a Canadian Independent Music Award.
But for Alex something didn't quite fit, and departing from Cuban music norms to follow his own path appears to be paying off - with his debut CD with the Alex Cuba Band, Humo De Tabaco, earning him a Juno award for World Music Album in 2006, with the single “Lo Mismo Que Yo”, featuring Ron Sexsmith charting in the Top 20 at BBC Radio 2.
Alex*Cuba has performed in the UK, Japan, the US and Canada, sharing the stage with artists like Jose Gonzalez and Seu Jorge (Central Park Summerstage), Feist and Cesaria Evora.
After a musical and spiritual evolution, Cuba returned to the studio, this time with producer Joby Baker of Victoria, to record his second album, “Agua Del Pozo” which was released in Canada in February 2007 under his own Caracol Records imprint. Acclaimed for its blend of tempo, instrumentation and songwriting, the album is a clear evolution from the debut, punctuated by the introduction of Alexis’ electric guitar, a vintage Gibson.
2008 is shaping up to be a big year as Alex Cuba had the iTunes Single of the Week early January in Canada with “Si Pero No”, delivered a rousing showcase at SXSW, and has garnered strong media coverage and sell-out tours in the U.S.
Alex won an “indie” Award for Favourite World Music Artist at Canadian Music Week in March and recently picked up his second Juno Award for Best World Music album.
This spring, “Agua del Pozo” reached 1 on the iTunes Latin Tropical Album chart (7 on overall Latin Album Chart) when the title track was the iTunes U.S. Latino and World Single of the Week. He was also featured on the iTunes U.S. “Indie Spotlight”. Having achieved this independently (Cuba does not have a U.S. license deal yet) makes it even sweeter.
Caracol Records (Cuba’s own label, now distributed by EMI Music Canada), will re-release “Agua del Pozo” in Canada with brand new artwork on Tuesday, June 3rd.
With a heart as big as his retro 'fro, Cuba takes it all in stride and focuses on what he does best: crafting songs that cut through linguistic barriers like a machete through sugarcane.
Siiiiiiiiiii acabo de llegar hoy de CUBA rico te dire que he estado tocando con Pepe Espinosa ,Carlos del Puerto,Carlos Perez ,Gilito ,una pandilla buena cuentame algo de ti y la familia los bebe un abrazo y se le quiere siempre siiiiiiiiiiii
Greetings Alex Cuba, Just Checking In With Love And Respect !!!!!!! I Give Continual Thanks And Praises For Friendship And Connection !!!!!!! Blessed Love Always
Uncharted Sounds JULY’08 Issue is up and pays tribute to the NXNE Festival ! Check out great Canadian Artists such as Lennie Moreno, David Bontemps, Matthew Barber and more! Check out our VIDEO Podcasts featuring ABERDEEN and NXNE interviews with ALEX CUBA, Dr. Draw, God Made Me Funky and Grand Analog. Go to: www. unchartedsounds. com Canada's hot and new innovative on-line music magazine !
Hey You rule - a great talent. A pleasure and a privilage to know you. Beautiful singer, guitar player, bass player - you can probably even make an accordian sound good. And you make a great cup of coffee - how many of your fans know that? cheers, Mark Perry
I am just dropping by to let you know I have a photo of you from your performance at Tattoo Rock Parlour during the NXNE Festival! Its only one, but I really like it!
Congratulations on all of your success there is so much more ahead for you!
Enjoy your summer, keep in touch.
Much Love, Mary-Elizabeth Gilbert (Mary) Creator & Founder Meg-a Music Toronto “Live your dreams, don’t just dream them…” www. megamusictoronto. com
Hola Alexis muchisimas gracias por tu comentario, es un gustaso encontrarme por aca a las personas que desde nina veia por las calles de artemisa .Muchas veces paso por tu pagina para oir tu musica que es muyyyyyyyyyyyy buenaaaaaaa, pero que ademas me trae muy buenos recuerdos ,es que el primer disco que oi tuyo fue un poco antes de salir de el pais y pues lo poniamos en todas las tertulias.Bueno que dios te bendiga y que siguas haciendo musica .
Bueno...tiene que ser World Music, algunos pueden llamarla Folk o una expression corta de Indigenous music o al rededor de el mundo. Pero World Music es uno de los generos mas llamativos, llega a mas audiencia que cualquier otro. Al usar Instrumentos acusticos de diferente partes de el mundo lo hace mas cautivador como las muchas culturas que existen...
Como está la familia? Disculpa la distancia hermano pero gracias a Dios tengo un poco de trabajo ahora y no paro , pero si, te llamo una de estas y hablamos un rato que hace rato que no se de ti. (Me puedes mandar tu número con código y todo porfa?) Nada Bro tremendas ganas de verte, te cuento que en estos días estuvo Yoriell por mi casa de visita y la pasamos super.
Gracias por tus letras bro , tremenda alegría y nada mucha suerte y salud
Un beso a los niños y saludos para la familia
Se te quiere por aquí Hermano, tu sabes aquí tienes tu casa
Valla Alex : Por aca pasando a saludarte computadoristicamente Bro , oye estuve mirando los videos de tus presentaciones en Canada AM y la honda de CBC y Waaoo te felicito asere , !que voltage! jeje, tremendo orgullo y alegria que me da el ver como haz desarrollado tu vision artistica y poco a poco luchando te haz ganado un lugar en el corazon de todos los que tenemos el privilegio de escucharte como el milagro de una mariposa que deja el capullo y sale bolando hacia ningun lugar , te queremos amar ,!Felicidades! un beso y que Papa Dios y to' lo santos te sigan llenando de luz siempre poeta cantor , te quiero.
I just need to said: Amaizingggg!!!! This is a really good music my friend. It is mix between cuba , tabaco, tierra roja y Alex!!!!! Un saludo y un beso para ti y el familion. Los quiero. Olguita.
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